President can’t wait for the day when he turns Citizen Noy again
PRESIDENT MEETS JOURNALISTS President Aquino answers a question from INQUIRER Lifestyle editor Thelma San Juan during the annual Bulong Pulungan Christmas party at Sofitel Philippine Plaza in Manila on Friday. GRIG C. MONTEGRANDE
He won’t be Citizen Noy until 18 months from now, but already President Benigno Aquino III had to face questions on his personal plans once he completes his term on June 30, 2016.
But the President preempted one question from the journalists whose questions at Friday’s Bulong Pulungan forum ranged from the first thing he’d do on the afternoon of June 30, to his “happiest moments” during his six-year presidency.
“I look forward to your thought-provoking questions, (but) might I preempt you (on) one question always asked here, the one about my love life—to which the answer remains the same,” Mr. Aquino said, to much laughter from his audience.
At 54, the only son of democracy icons Ninoy and Cory Aquino, remains a bachelor.
At the forum, the President made it clear that he was looking forward to retiring from politics, saying that seeking another elective post was out of the question after he wraps up his term in 2016.
Article continues after this advertisementA year’s break
Article continues after this advertisement“Foremost on my mind, together with my Cabinet, is to take at least a year’s break to recharge and recover from all the tensions, turmoil (and) concerns over the past six years,” Mr. Aquino said. “I think I will try to look for a means to serve in another capacity rather than an elective office,” he added.
He was also toying with the idea of writing a book to help “institutionalize the lessons … learned” from his six years in office.
“We’d really want to interact with the youth and help shape the next generation so that we don’t repeat the same mistakes. In exactly what form? I’m not exactly sure at this point (but) we are concerned with today’s issues,” the President said.
When a new President is sworn in noon of June 30, 2016, Mr. Aquino just might head home to his family’s residence on Times Street in Quezon City. He looks forward to staying in his own bed and in his own house, he said.
“… And perhaps looking forward to the following day when I don’t have to wake up too early. I can laze around and get used to living on Times (Street) again. And perhaps visit the neighborhood supermarket and fast food joints around,” the President said.
No classic cars
Criticized early in his administration for buying a secondhand Porsche, the President was also asked the dream car he would indulge in once he was a private citizen again. Well, he would have to check the 2015 models first before he can give an answer, Mr. Aquino said, adding that he wasn’t really into classic cars because “when I turn on the ignition switch, I want it to start all the time. I don’t want it to be (just) a labor of love.”
Music, it seems, would remain a constant in the private life of President Aquino who said that “music became more important,” during the many highs and lows of his presidency. He relied on jazz at night and religious songs “to calm down,” he said.
Mr. Aquino added: “Sometimes, you need to be filled with energy so it becomes either rock or some dance music. Sometimes, you need something really different to take your mind off things, so it becomes classical (music). Except rap, I still don’t like rap, with all due apologies.”
The President said he also tries to avoid listening to love songs if he could, a remark that again made his audience laugh.
And what made him happiest during his presidency?, he was asked.
Happiest moments
Seeing the country’s economy grow, the President replied, mentioning the Philippines’ credit ratings upgrade and investment grade status.
He added that seeing the government take on a proactive stance against disasters, instead of reacting only to the impacts of disasters, also made him happy.
There is a long list, “things are changing,” he said.
“But I guess, at the end of the day, (the happiest moment is) when you see the renewed optimism and the attitude that is different in our people, (when) it seems nothing is impossible … From the time we stepped into office when there was massive cynicism, when the primary goal was how to leave the Philippines, to now … (when) the young (are) coming back home. That, again, makes us all happy and makes all of this worthwhile,” Mr. Aquino said.
The 28-year-old Bulong Pulungan forum has had President Aquino as its special guest for its annual Christmas event for the past five years, conferring on him various awards for his governance, from last year’s “Man of Steel” award to this year’s the “Bosses’ Favorite” award.
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